3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment Flashcards
What is relationship between the size of organism and its SA:V
Smaller organisms tend to have a higher SA:V
Larger organisms have a lower SA:V
What is the relationship between the SA:V and metabolic rate
Rate of heat loss higher in smaller animals than larger
Due to high SA:V
METABOLLIC RATE HIGHER —> faster respiration
To generate enough heat to maintain constans body temperature
Why is gas exchange important?
O2 supply = production of ATP for biochemical reactions
Removal of Co2 = toxic waste product of aerobic respiration
It builds in cells, PH is altered
What are the adaptations of gas exchange surfaces?
Thin, flat shape
Large SA:V
Short diffusion pathway
= rapid diffusion
Describe the gas exchange in Insects
- Air moves through spiracles (pores) on the surface of the insect
- Air moves through tracheae
- Gas exchange at tracheoles directly to/from cells
Oxygen diffuses down conc. gradient to respiring cell
Carbon dioxide diffuses down conc. gradient from respiring cells
What are the adaptations in the tracheal system for efficient gas exchange
Thin branching tracheoles → short diffusion pathway
Abdonminal contractions of muscles → mass movement → increase in exchange of respiratory gaeses
What are the limitations of tracheal system?
Relies on exchange of gases w/envrionment
Diffusion pathway must be short
Pathway limit = limits their overall insect size
Explain the counter-current flow
Countercurrent flow
Opposite directions of blood and water flowing
There is always a higher concentration of oxygen in water than blood
Concentration gradient of oxygen between the water and blood is maintained along whole length of lamellae
Equilibrium not met
Describe the adaptations in the fish for gas exchange
Countercurrent flow = maintains large concentration gradient
Gill filaments + Gill lamallae → provide a larger surface aea
Network of capillaries (on lamellae) → remove oxygen to maintain concentration gradient
Thin epithelium → shorter diffusion pathway between water and blood
What is the process of gas exchange in leaves of dicotyledonous plants?
Carbon dioxide diffuses int through the stomota
Stomata opened by the guard cells
Carbon dioxide diffuse into mesophyll layer into air spaces
Carbon dioxide diffuses down concentration gradient
Oxygen diffuses out while Carbon diffuses in
What are the adaptions in plants for efficient gas exchange?
Lots of Stomata → large surface area due to being close together
Mesophyll cells have a large surface area → rapid diffusion of gases
Thin → short diffusion pathway
Describe the xerophytic adaptations for efficient gas exchange and the limitation of water loss
- Thick waxy cuticle = Increases diffusion distance → less evaporation
- Stomata in pits/grooves = ‘Trap’ water vapour → water potential gradient
decreased → less evaporation - Rolled leaves = ‘Trap’ water vapour → water potential gradient decreased → less evaporation
- Spindles/needles = Reduces surface area to volume ratio
- Hairs = ‘Trap’ water vapour → water potential gradient decreased → less evaporation
What adaptations in terrestrial insects limit water loss
Thick waxy cuticle → increases diffusion distance = less evaporation
Spricales can open and close → open to allow oxygen in, close when water loss too much
How does gas exchange occur in the alveoli?
- Oxygen diffuses from alveoli
- Down its concentration gradient
- Across the alveolar epithelium
- Across the capillary endothelium
- Into the blood (in haemoglobin)
- Carbon dioxide diffuses from capillary
- Down its concentration gradient
- Across the capillary endothelium
- Across the alveolar epithelium
- Into the alveoli
Why is ventilation important?
Maintains an oxygen concentration gradient
Why do humans need a large intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide?
Large organisms w/ large volume
Need to maintain body temp
How do the tracheal rings provide support?
Made of cartilage which help support trachea and stays open
How has alveoli adapted for the exchange of gases in humans?
Large number = higher surface area
Alveolar epithelium and capillary (endothelial) is one cell thick - short diffusion pathway
Movement of blood in the capillaries = maintain a concentration gradient
Describe the lining of the trachea
Ciliated epithelium
Contains goblet cells that can secrete mucus
Where does the exchange of oxygen take place in a human?
Between alveoli and the capillaries in the lung
What is ventilation?
The processes by which air in constantly moved in and out of the lungs
Describe Inspiration (inhalation)
Active process
External intercostal muscles contract (internal relax)
Causing ribcage to move upwards and out ( increased volume in thorax)
Diaphragm muscles contract = flatten = volume increase
Volume in thorax cavity increasing leads to less pressure in lungs
Atmospheric pressure is greater than in lungs so diffusion gradient into the lungs
Describe Expiration
Passive
The internal intercostal muscles contract (external relax)
Ribs move downwards and inwards = decreases the volume of the thorax
Diaphragm muscles relax and become dome-shaped = decrease in volume
A decrease in thorax cavity volume leads to an increase in pressure
Pulmonary pressure is greater than atmospheric = air forced out
How does Expiration affect the lungs?
Volume in the chest decreases and pressure increases
How would you describe the relationship between the intercostal muscles?
Antagonistic interaction
What is PVR stand for in terms of breathing?
The Pulmonary Ventilation Rate is the volume of breathed, in or out, in a minute
How can you calculate the PVR?
Tidal volume x Breathing rate
What can breathing be seen as in support of the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide?
A form of mass transport (= acts as external medium over the surface)
How does breathing help the diffusion of gases between alveoli and blood?
Constant ventilation
Constant circulation of blood
Steep concentration gradient
How do red blood cells help themselves in the diffusion between the alveloi?
They flatten against capillary walls so short diffusion pathway
Describe how lung disease causes damage to lungs
Tumour formed
Uncontrolled mitosis which develops in cells in the lumen
Interferes with lung system = squeeze blood vessels and entering the lymphatic system
What are the symptoms of lung disease?
Coughing up blood
Coughing alot of mucus
Persistent cough
back/shoulder pain
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
What are three ways to measure volumes of air involved in gas exchange?
Three-way taps, manometers and simple respirometers
What is fibrosis?
Formation of scar tissue in the lungs (as a result of infection/exposure to substances)
Explain how fibrosis affects the lungs
- Scar tissue forms from infection or exposure to asbestos/ dust
- Scar tissue is thicker and less elastic than normal lung tissue
- Diffusion distance increased due to short diffusion pathway - Therefore lungs less able to expand, therefore can’t hold as much air
- therefore TV and FVC decreased
(Symptoms = shortness of breath, dry cough, chest pain, fatigue)
Describe an asthma attack
constriction of the airways, = narrower diameter meaning reduced air flow.
FEV reduced
Less oxygen enters alveoli enters the blood
Therefore volume of air that can be breathed out decreases
Define emphysema
Lung disease caused by smoking or exposure to air pollution (pollutants get trapped in aleveoli)
Describe emphysema’s effect on the lung
Particles trapped in the alveoli
Causes inflammation = attracts phagocytes
Phagocytes make an enzyme that beaks from elastin
Loss of elasticity means cannot ventilate properly and loss of surface area
Shortness of breath as they try to compensate the loss
Why do people with lung diseases show symptoms of weakness, fatigue, etc.
Reduce rate of gas exchange in alveoli → less oxygen diffuse into blood → cells receive less oxygen → rate of aerobic respiration reduced → less energy released → fatigue, weakness etc.
Define digestion
The process in which large molecules are hydrolysed by enzymes into small molecules which can be absorbed or assimilated